The Vibe

Serious charm abounds in Markham where heritage areas such as Markham Village and Unionville offer glimpses of the city’s past. Beautifully preserved historic buildings dot both main street strips and lovely neighbourhoods where distinct architectural styles are protected by the city. This creates era-influenced neighbourhoods that vary from street to street for a retro vibe that somehow merges seamlessly with the city’s modern amenities.

The Story

The City of Markham has a rich Indigenous history as the First Nation’s territory originally occupied by the Huron-Wendat. They first encountered French explorers in the 1600s followed by a series of epidemics that diminished their population allowing the Haudenosaunee to defeat them in the late 1640s. As the Haudenosaunee began to abandon the area in the late 1600s, the Mississaugas arrived, migrating from the Lake Superior area.

Although the land was not formally transferred to the colonial government from the Mississaugas until the signing of Treaty 13 in 1805, colonial administrators decided to open the area for settlement in 1792. British settlers began arriving in the area in 1794 occupying what is now known as Thornhill.

Following the first wave of settlers, the area attracted more people who contributed to the area’s agricultural development as well as the establishment of grist and wool mills. The clearing of timber in 1857 improved land for cultivation to support both farming and the manufacturing of farm equipment as well as tanning and furniture factories.

The arrival of the Toronto and Nipissing Railway Company in Unionville and Markham in1871 led to rapid growth, contributing to the area’s prosperity. It was incorporated as a village in 1873, but it wasn’t until post-World War II that Markham began to attract a more diverse cross section of immigrants.
With the opening of the 404, urban development in the mid-1970s provided further housing, attracting more businesses, and in 2012 Markham became a city.

Markham’s long history is witnessed in the town’s earliest homes, capturing classic Georgian style. However, the city also offers pockets of quaint little cottages and cozy Cape Cods, ultra ornate Rome-inspired homes and an eclectic assortment of character homes along with typical beautifully maintained 1970s subdivisions right through to the new builds of today.

A wide range of highly desirable neighbourhoods in Markham are found in each of its prominent towns and hamlets including Buttonville, Unionville, Milliken Mills, Markham Village, Boxgrove and Thornhill Village. The mix of homes and neighbourhoods provide housing options suited to a wide range of budgets.

The Convenience

You can’t beat the convenience of Markham’s location north on the 404 at Warden. Also right on the 407, traffic aside, the commute is manageable for people who drive into the city frequently. Markham is served by York Region Transit and the GO system with easy connections to the TTC. However, there’s no need to travel to downtown TO when you live in a city with all the amenities, entertainment, parkland, and events found in Markham.

Whether you’re enjoying a fall Fair, getting a sneak peak inside local historic buildings during the annual Doors Open Markham tour, enjoying a coffee or meal in one of Markham’s historic districts, or biking or hiking in a local park, there’s always something to do in Markham.

There’s also Flato Markham Theatre where you can take in musical performances, dances and plays, the Varley Gallery celebrating the works of one of the Group of Seven’s founders, F.H Varley along with other exciting exhibits, and plenty of shopping at several malls all within Markham’s boundaries.

The lovely natural surroundings make it easy to get a daily boost of nature, while the area also boasts places to bike, skate, workout, and golf so you can stay active year-round.

The Residents

A strong Chinese population is just one of the many cultural communities that contribute to Markham’s diversity. Markham’s location and easy lifestyle attracts families and couples alike from a range of incomes, although most households are above average earners.

The Best Part

Markham’s commitment to New Urbanism principles continues to create walkable neighbourhoods, a rare find in typical suburban areas. The city also ensures each of its original neighbourhoods maintain the architectural characteristics of their respective eras. We love, love, love the authenticity of Markham neighborhoods that remain true to their roots by passing down stewardship from homeowner to homeowner.